The relationship between epicardial fat thickness and gestational diabetes mellitus

Abstract

AimGestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with cardiovascular diseases; however, the relationship between epicardial fat thickness (EFT) and GDM remains unclear. The present study evaluates and compares EFT using transthoracic echocardiography in pregnant women with GDM.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study included 129 pregnant women in the third trimester: 65 with GDM (GDM group) and 64 with uncomplicated pregnancies (control group). As defined by the World Health Organization, the diagnosis of GDM was based on an abnormal 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results. We used echocardiography to measure EFT in blood samples for all the participants.ResultsThe postprandial blood glucose level was significantly higher in the GDM group than in the control group (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in BMI, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure or lipid parameters between the groups. In the GDM group, isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) parameters were significantly higher than in the control group. EFT was significantly higher in the GDM group (P < 0.001) and was correlated with postprandial glucose, BMI, age, and heart rate in both the groups. Only postprandial glucose and BMI remained significantly associated with EFT after multiple stepwise regression analysis.ConclusionEchocardiographically measured EFT was significantly higher in the patients with GDM. The findings show that EFT was strongly correlated with postprandial glucose.

Second Trimester Fetal and Maternal Epicardial Fat Thickness in Gestational Diabetic Pregnancies

“…In the same study, significant correlations between EFT, BMI, and postprandial serum glucose levels were also present [11]. These findings were supported by another investigation indicating that postprandial glucose and BMI were associated with maternal EFT in regression models [24]. Our data showing higher maternal EFT meas- Endocrine Care urements in pregnancies with GDM (6.9 vs. 5.3 mm) support these findings.…”

Flow cytometric single cell analysis reveals heterogeneity between adipose depots

“…48 Gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy due to the increased load on the mother by the fetus and may lead to type II diabetes postpartum. 49 This often causes a larger accumulation of fat in the fetus as well as excess fetal growth. 50 Our approach highlights the utility of flow cytometry in assessing adipocyte phenotype and behavior at the single cell level and relating this information to whole body physiology.…”

Epicardial adipose tissue thickness as a potential predictor of gestational diabetes mellitus: a prospective cohort study

“…A previous study also revealed that EAT thickness was significantly higher in women with a history of GDM than controls [21]. Subsequently, two cross-sectional studies found a difference in EAT thickness when comparing between GDM and control groups during the second trimester [22,23]. In these two previous studies, EAT thickness was measured at 24-28 gestational weeks (GW) at the time of GDM diagnosis.…”